On Board Air
 

I'm currently running a Viair on-board compressor and tank system on my 14 FX4 Supercab, Been spending a lot of time out in the desert on the weekends so having onboard air is a real bonus. Luckily mine came with it from new (Abu DHabi dealer had several modified and imported. - 6" pro-comp lift, LED lightbar behind new grill, onboard air and few other mods). Went out a few weeks back and had to bring a second compressor because the folks we were camping with that weekend didnt have compressors and mine alone wasnt going to manage 4 vehicles. Apparantly the Viair compressor that is installed isnt quite up to the job, the portable no name compressor did all three of the other vehicles before I could finish mine. I went back and looked the specific Viair compressor up and its CFM/LPM rating is garbage. I think it's about 30LPM and even with the 2 gallon tank it struggles with my tires. Usually takes about 9-12 mins per tire to inflate from 15 to 40. Doing a bit more research I've ome to conclusion that a new ARB twin compressor is in order. Just need to find a new mounting point, cant use the existing as a little tight, still would like to keep it fairly close to the tank though. One big change I plan on making is a 2way 4-tire inflation/deflation system. Found a company that makes it for jeeps and raptors but I'm pretty sure I can make some minor mods to make it work for mine. Would be nice to air all four tires up or down at the same time.

If you havent seen their systems, check them out....

https://updownair.com/
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b533ece8b1.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...832c57e8a6.jpg

I have the Viair 400P.....no tank. It puts air in faster (65 liters/min at 0psi, 2.3cfm) than I can bleed it out using screw in bleeders on valve stems.

It has 33% duty cycle, but has never shut down on me yet. And thats 6 tires trailer included.

Personally, I'd just get second Viair before doing all the above.

Still it's an interesting design.

I'm not sure what the model is, it was installed before being imported. I am going to swap the whole system out as the idiots who did the install put the drain valve for the tank near the top. Found a couple bits of rust starting at the weld. Have disconnected the tank now as not taking any chances, re-routed the current compressor to my chuck bypassing the tank. Definitely going to change the compressor (hopefully in next couple of weeks) and going with the ARB Twin High Perf. I can get them pretty much anywhere over here and everyone I know who has them gives them big props. Will also replace the tank, but that should be pretty simple and hopefully will be able to use all wiring and air lines without having to alter too much.

I have a portable as well and it works better than my onboard. again not sure of the model, havent pulled it out yet, all I know is it isnt much use really, just ttakes forever. I dont really like to have the carry the portable around, If we go out in groups I'll carry it just so it makes getting everyone aired up quicker. We do end up with a few newbies now and again who dont want to buy stuff for a one time trip. The four tire system above for me looks like it will work pretty well as it gets all tires to same pressure both inflating and deflating and would appear to much quicker than going around to each wheel one at a time.

Not a bad option depending on which compressor he has now. Cheaper than the ARB twin,the ARB will give you ~25% more flow and 100% duty cycle. Just curious, what size tires do air up, what's the start and end pressure, and how long does it take? I've thought about a portable electric, maybe an 88P or 300P, for my truck for the occasional beach trip. So far, everywhere I've been has good air up stations, but I might would go that route if ever go somewhere that doesn't. But I'm spoiled by my OBA on my Jeep that puts out somewhere around 10-15 cfm depending on engine RPM. It airs up a 35/12.50/15 from 10-30 psi in about 1 minute. I think I'd be very disappointed in a electric compressor.

I think where you'll gain the speed from with the 4 tire system is from the automatic feature and not having to stop and check it. We've got a several Jeeps in the extended family and go beach riding every year. Up until last year, I was the only with OBA, so I started carrying a splitter and extra hose to do 2 Jeeps at once. What I found was it didn't really save any time over doing one jeep then the other. But at least you won't have to baby sit the tires, especially airing down.

Here's a fair review of the Viair 400P that I have. I have used mine to air up about 18 tires so far in last 16 months.

https://trail4runner.com/2018/06/15/...ressor-review/

I'd say it takes 3-4 min per tire to go from 18 to 40 psi on the stock 275 65 R18's. Gotta run an extra 5 psi in because the air goes in HOT (unlike the large air tank in your garage) and later cools lowering psi a bit.

I may also start carrying a smaller older compressor I have too as backup.

Sometimes when i reach asphalt and air up, it's still at least 75 miles to a gas station should my compressor decide to die on me.

That is a big reason for looking at that particular type system. This time of year isnt so much of an issue, but in the summer months temps get way up there... 120-130 in the shade, getting down on your hands and knees in that heat is not much fun. Would rather sit in the AC and get back out when everything is done.

That's exactly how my wife airs up the tires after a beach run! (unless we're in the Jeep...it doesn't have a/c so she's just sitting in the shade)

Just bit the bullet and ordered the UpDownAir system. Will be a couple weeks for delivery as it has to go to my stateside shipping address then be repackaged and sent to me here. Also just bought the ARB twin compressor. https://4x4ome.com/arb-onboard-high-performance-12-volt-twin-air-compressor-ckmta12. Have found a shop that will install both for me so hopefully have everything done by end of Feb. After a bit of measuring the compressor should be a fairly easy swap although the ARB has different wiring, still shouldnt be too bad. Last thing to replace is the tank, Dealer here didnt have one in stock so am still trying to source. Not buying from the states as I have to pay shipping by weight, the cost of shipping a tank actually works out to be almost twice the price of the tank itself.